Patti Newton gives update on Bert Newton's hospital visit

Patti Newton has given an update on Bert Newton’s health after the Australian icon was pictured in hospital last week.

The 82-year-old Gold Logie winning radio and TV presenter was snapped in a hospital bed wearing a mask, alongside the caption: “Bert’s been in hospital, all good. He’s got a lot of living to do.”

Now, Patti has said Bert’s six adorable grandchildren are keeping his spirits up with daily calls.

“They phone him at the hospital and have sent him pictures to put on the wall,” Patti told the Herald Sun.

Bert’s sixth grandchild, Alby, was named after him, as he’s affectionately known as Alby by friends and family.

“It is a lovely legacy and it means so much to him,” Patti said. “They are going to be quite a team.”

Patti said Bert is expected to stay in hospital for a week before starting rehabilitation “to improve his strength and fitness”.

Bert spent time in hospital in 2011 after catching viral pneumonia and in 2012 he underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery.

Since then he has fought his way through numerous health complications.

In April 2017 he was rushed to Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital suffering from anaemia, with Patti staying by his side.

In July last year, an anonymous family friend told Woman’s Day Bert’s health was declining.

“He is very weak, very frail and he's ailing at an alarming rate,” they told the magazine.

“Patti doesn't even like to leave him alone for more than a couple of hours. She's been out of her mind with worry for weeks.”

Fan concern grew after the couple’s withdrawal from media events, with Bert and Patti noticeably absent from the Logies last year.

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